A former Captain in the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will be riding from John O’Groats to Land’s End in aid of the ILPH. Grant Nicolle, from Edinburgh, and his horse Marv (pictured right) will start the 1,300-mile journey on 29 April.
According to Grant, the trip should take 12 weeks, if Marv, a 10-year-old Clydesdale-cross gelding, can manage 20 miles a day. “It is an adventure for us both and I will ensure Marv enjoys it as much as I will,” Grant said. “I bought Marv in mid-January specifically for the trip. He has a fantastic temperament, is great in traffic and should have both the endurance and weight-carrying ability to go the full distance.”
Grant has accommodation arranged for about a third of the trip and is hoping local farmers will allow him the use of their fields for the remainder. He will be spending one night at ILPH Glenda Spooner Farm in Somerset.
“I have not yet heard of someone doing the UK length on the same horse, alone and with no support,” he said. “I am meeting any costs involved myself as I want donations to go to the ILPH, which does wonderful work for horses around the world.”
The trip will not be the first time Grant has supported the ILPH. Whilst in the King’s Troop, he brought the royal horses to ILPH Penny Farm in Blackpool for their summer camp. ILPH Penny, an ILPH horse, was also rehomed to the King’s Troop under Grant’s care.
If you would like to support Grant’s marathon ride please contact Mel Wallis-Johnson of the ILPH (tel: 01953 497207). Alternatively, Grant has set up a fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/grantnicolle where you can donate securely online to the ILPH. You can follow Grant’s trip by visiting www.grantnicolle.co.uk.
